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News4's Jackie Bensen explains how the defendant earned the nickname "The Pimp on the Pike." (Published Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013)

A defendant nicknamed "The Pimp on the Pike" was found guilty Wednesday in a landmark human trafficking case in Montgomery County.

Nahshon Kornegay, 32, could face up to 20 years in prison. He was arrested in March for allegedly prostituting women out of a hotel room on a section of Rockville Pike that has a reputation as a mecca for shopping and dining.

Many residents were shocked to learn it's also a place where young homeless women were forced into prostitution and controlled by psychological intimidation.

A victim's advocate who worked with two of the victims, ages 19 and 20, said Kornegay took away the women's identification documents, and told them that they'd be arrested if they told anyone.

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Last spring, a guest at Rockville's Hilton Hotel, a popular spot for local proms and weddings, complained about being solicited. Hotel management contacted police.

Detectives say that Kornegay used the online classifieds site Backpage.com to advertise, and moved the women around from hotel to hotel in the more affluent areas of the D.C. suburbs.

Some of his texts to the women were introduced as evidence. One reads, "You got any dates?"

Photos of brightly colored ecstasy pills and packets of marijuana, found in the hotel room were also introduced as evidence. Investigators believe they were available for purchase by customers.

In addition to the 5 prostitution-related charges, Kornegay was also convicted of selling drugs. He will be sentenced in May.